Archicve folders: Where do they actually reside? Outlook 2007

[Liontamer]

Confusion exists in understanding where your folders and files within them go
once you've chosen to Archive them. When you Archive them, Outlook '07 will
create an Archive folder which appears in the navagation pane accordingly as
a .pst file.

Okay, I've got that. But...I'm under the impression that they've been taken
out of the mailbox area of Outlook 2007 and moved to another area of your
computer, such as the hard disk. This means you've reduced the size of your
Outlook 2007 mailbox, which is good for those who wish to clean it up.

Apparently, the Archive folder and files within it are just links to the
storage area, I believe on your hard disk, where these folders and files
within them are now stored and kept. If this is actually what is happening
when you Archive your folders and files within them then one can clearly see
the value in doing this periodically. For it will indeed reduce the need to
use up storage space in your mailbox.

The problem I see here is that the Microsoft training modules, although they
are trying to do a really good job, are not specifically defining this aspect
of what happens when you Archive your folders and files within them. Hence,
this question hopefully will clarify what is actually happening.

To all: Have a nice day.

 

[Vince Averello]

The Archive folders are normally contained in a PST (Personal STore file) on
your computer's hard drive. Right click on the root of the Archive folder,
choose Properties then click Advanced to see the full path to the file

 

[Liontamer]

Thanks Vince. So, I was right about these folders and files within them are
moved out from your Outlook 2007 mailbox (this reducing its size) and to your
hard disk as folders and files? Yes or No?

If this is true then this means I can then copy an Archive PST file to a
CD-R. Is this correct too? Yes or No?

Thanks Vinny!

 

[Vince Averello]

Yes to the first and sort-of to the second. Once the PST is on read-only
media you can't open it any longer until you copy it back to your hard
drive.

 

[Liontamer]

Well, here we go again: Everytime I thinks I'm gettin' somewhere, learning
stuff, somebody throws a "curve ball" and confuses my "noodle" again.

Okay, I got that when you Archive a folder of files that they go to your
hard disk as a .pst. Right? Yes or No.

If "Yes" then this means they now reside on your hard disk. Right? Yes or
No.

However, even before I take us back to what's involved in copying those
files, let me point out somethin' else. I get that you can tell outlook that
you want to setup a .pst folder inside of Outlook 2007. This means that it
didn't get on the hard disk yet because it's officially in Outlook. Right?
Yes or No.

Now, I'm thinking that there's two different places you can have a .pst
folder. One place is in Outlook's Navigation Pane. The other is on your
Hard Disk outside of Outlook. Right? Yes or No.

And...and...and...(being a bit funny here)...If it's on your Hard Disk
outside of Outlook 2007 then it must be copyable to a CD-R. So, what's up
with having to reload it from the CD-R back onto your Hard Disk. You lost me
there Vinny.

 

[Gordon]

Well, here we go again: Everytime I thinks I'm gettin' somewhere, learning
stuff, somebody throws a "curve ball" and confuses my "noodle" again.

Okay, I got that when you Archive a folder of files that they go to your
hard disk as a .pst. Right? Yes or No.
Yes.


If "Yes" then this means they now reside on your hard disk. Right? Yes
or
No.
Yes.


However, even before I take us back to what's involved in copying those
files, let me point out somethin' else. I get that you can tell outlook
that
you want to setup a .pst folder inside of Outlook 2007. This means that
it
didn't get on the hard disk yet because it's officially in Outlook.
Right?
Yes or No.

No. A pst file will ALWAYS be on your HDD.

Now, I'm thinking that there's two different places you can have a .pst
folder. One place is in Outlook's Navigation Pane. The other is on your
Hard Disk outside of Outlook. Right? Yes or No.

A pst file that shows in your navigation pane IS on your HDD.

And...and...and...(being a bit funny here)...If it's on your Hard Disk
outside of Outlook 2007 then it must be copyable to a CD-R. So, what's up
with having to reload it from the CD-R back onto your Hard Disk. You lost
me
there Vinny.

See above......there is no such distinction between a pst file "in" Outlook
and a pst file "outside" Outlook....

 

[Bob Eyster]

When you Archive you have the option to place the Archive.pst where ever you
like. Also, when you go to File > Archive, in the Archive window it will
show where the Archive file is located.

 

[Vince Averello]

1 - Yes
2 - PSTs always reside on a hard drive or network drive (not recommended).
They'll show in Outlook but they don't 'exist' in Outlook. That's just
pointers & such.

 

[AnotherNewGuy]

The copy on the CD-R is only a backup. Outlook will not open a Read-Only
PST, so it must be copied back to the hard drive before using again.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Confusion exists in understanding where your folders and files within them
go
once you've chosen to Archive them. When you Archive them, Outlook '07 will
create an Archive folder which appears in the navagation pane accordingly as
a .pst file.

Okay, I've got that. But...I'm under the impression that they've been taken
out of the mailbox area of Outlook 2007 and moved to another area of your
computer, such as the hard disk. This means you've reduced the size of your
Outlook 2007 mailbox, which is good for those who wish to clean it up.

Everything on your computer is on the hard drive. Everything. The mailbox is
not on your computer (assuming by saying "mailbox" you're referring to an
Exchange mailbox), but the cache file for it is. So are your archive files.
Archiving messages does remove it from the mailbox and moves it to another
location on your hard drive. So, your mailbox gains additional free space,
but the net change on your hard drive is fairly small.

Apparently, the Archive folder and files within it are just links to the
storage area, I believe on your hard disk, where these folders and files
within them are now stored and kept.

Not links, per se. The PST is a database and the "folders" you see are
indices that help locate the various items within that file.

 

[Liontamer]

Is there a way to thank all of those who contributed to this thread who've
offered helpful info at the same time? I'm unsure about how to do this
because if I check off one contribution then what happens to the other
helpful suggestions from others?